Honey Creek Resort

Iowa is known for big Midwest bucks and pheasant hunting, especially around here, not golf. Picture those 18 manicured fairways turned into prairie plots stocked with pheasant, with predator hunts at night too. That seems like a much better fit for people who want to get outdoors and away from city recreation. Instead, it’s a ghost town built around golf and tourism, with none of the restaurants, shops, theaters, traffic, or lines that golf-loving city visitors apparently want. Trying to lure city people out to the sticks seems like a losing plan. They should appeal to people who live in the city but don’t want to recreate there. Add fishing, hunting, a trap range, and a gun range. Seems obvious to me. Golf sucks.

The rooms are run down and, especially at that price, not worth it. We booked because of the waterpark, but only learned it was closed after booking and arriving. They say an automatic email went out, though all we received was the usual confirmation. When I called, the receptionist said we could come early, get wristbands, and swim while waiting for our room. We would have booked somewhere else if we’d known, particularly for what it cost. They should put closures on the website or call guests who are due to arrive when a major amenity won’t be open.

We drove nearly four hours for our reservation and discovered at the entrance that the resort was closed. I wish they’d contacted me ahead of time. At least I got my money back.

Pam, the "hospitality" manager, brushed off the idea that they should adjust anything, even though promised amenities weren’t available. It’s a tired resort charging full price without key features like its water park. In my opinion, the resort fee should be reduced when advertised amenities aren’t offered.